By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl
Expanding diversity by featuring diverse conductors, clinicians, and composers This article was originally published in the November 2019 teacher edition of In Tune Magazine. “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” ~ Stephen R. Covey Since 2001 I have stood on the podium before numerous bands and thought I was enough. I thought the gender diversity I offered as a respected female conductor of secondary bands was significant, and enough for the growth of my musicians, audiences, and colleagues. I was proud to demonstrate that women can equally master the job of band director. I thought this was diversity, but I was wrong. Although I was providing gender diversity on the podium, I was not promoting diversity off the podium. By Christian Folk "Time's Up: Escaping the Sameness of Wind Band Programming" was originally published to the Wind Repertory Project on February 20, 2018. In the spring of 2017, composer Stacy Garrop posed a question for the wind band Facebook hivemind: what is your favorite piece for wind band or ensemble? Hundreds of replies came in from band directors across the country, and all of the responses had one thing in common: they were all pieces by men. Not a single woman was mentioned, even though the pieces ranged in date from the early 1900's with the Holst "Suites" to the present day with pieces by modern composers like Steven Bryant and John Mackey.
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Monthly FeaturesEach month, five articles will be featured. They will cover a wide variety of topics and connect all areas within the music community! ArchivesCategories
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